Vacuum cleaner



Aug. 29, 1961 E. GAUDRY VACUUM CLEANER Filed April 1, 1958 3Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

E. GAUDRY VACUUM CLEANER Aug. 29, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 1,1958 hrm/m/gy E. GAUDRY VACUUM CLEANER Aug. 29, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed April 1, 1958 I INVEZTOR.

Qfl BY warm/Maw United States Patent 2,997,728 VACUUM CLEANER EdouardGaudry, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, assignor to Aktiebolaget Electrolux,Stockholm, Sweden, a corporation of Sweden 7 Filed Apr. 1, 1958, Ser.No. 725,731 Claims. (Cl. 15- 323) The present invention relates tosuction cleaners and more particularly to an improved construction intank type cleaners.

Suction cleaners of the type indicated comprise a tubular casing havingair inlet and outlet openings at its opposite ends and a motor-fan unittherein for propelling air therethrough. A removable dust bag is locatedin the casing adjacent the air inlet end for separating the entraineddust and dirt from the air flowing through the easing. In addition suchvacuum cleaners usually have a filter pad adjacent the air outlet end ofthe casing to insure removal of any fine dust particles which may havepassed through the dust bag before the air is discharged into a room.The filter pad also may be used as a carrier to diffuse an essence intothe outgoing air stream to produce a pleasing scent in the room.

In such prior constructions the filter pad is mounted in the cleaneradjacent the rearward end cover of the cleaner casing. When a filter padis to be changed or an essence applied to the pad, it is necessary toremove screws and completely detach the end cover. The average housewifefinds it a nuisance and something of a chore to remove and replace theend cover. This is especially true because of the necessity of aligningthe holes in the detached cover and casing and inserting the attachingscrews in an awkward position adjacent the floor. As a result, thefilter pads are not replaced as frequently as they should be to insurecomplete removal of dust from the air stream. Furthermore, the desirablefunction of the filter pad to diffuse an essence into the air in a roomis not utilized.

An object of the invention is to provide a suction cleanor of the typeindicated in which the end cover of the easing is pivotally mounted andclamped in closed position by a quick releasable latch to facilitateopening and closing the casing by merely swinging the end cover on itspivotal mounting.

Another object is to provide an improved suction cleanor of the typeindicated which is of relatively simple and compact construction toadapt it for economical manufacture and one which is reliable inoperation.

These and other objects will become more apparent from the followingdescription and drawings in which like reference characters denote likeparts throughout the several views. It is to be expressly understood,however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only andnot a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had forthis purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings: 7

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of suction cleaner incorporating thenovel features of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the rearward endof the suction cleaner illustrated in FIGURE 1 to show the pivotallymounted end cover to provide access to the filter pad and cord reel;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 33 of FIGURE 2 toshow the reticulated perforate plate at the end of the tubular portionof the cleaner casing;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIGURE 2to show the cooperating reticulated perforate plate in the end cover;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 2 toshow the space between the outer Patented Aug. 29, 1961 2 periphery ofthe reel and casing to provide a passage for the flow of airtherebetween;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 6--6 of FIGURE 2to show the abutment at the forward inwardly projecting end of thebracket surrounding the air outlet opening; and

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of the reel unit.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the invention is shown applied toa horizontal tank type suction cleaner 10 comprising a casing 11 havinga central section, a front end cover 12 and a rear end cover 14. Casingsection 11 is provided with a handle 15 and wheels 16 and 17 tofacilitate movement thereof on a supporting surface, a single wheel 16at the front of the casing being centrally disposed and mounted to turnabout a vertical axis as a caster as well as rotate about a horizontalaxis.

The front end cover 12 is removably secured to the easing in anysuitable manner and formed with an inlet opening 18 to which a suctionhose (not shown) is adapted to be detachably connected. Suitablecleaning appliances may \be connected to a wand which, in turn, is comnected to the outer free end of the suction hose and to which air flowsinto the casing. An air permeable dust bag '19 is located in the casing11 adjacent the front end cover 12 in which dirt is separated from theair and collected.

F low of air through casing is effected by a motor and fan unit 20 whichincludes a centrifugal fan 21 arranged at one end of an electric motor22 resiliently mounted in any suitable manner at 23 within the casing11. The fan 21 receives the air which has passed through the dust bag1'9 and is substantially free of dust and dirt, such air beingdischarged from the fan through the motor 22 and eventually passingthrough the outlet opening 24 in the rear end cover 14. Motor 22 isconnected by conductors 25 to an electric switch 26 which is arranged tobe actuated by a push button 27 located in a trim strip 28 at the top ofthe casing 11.

The casing section 11 is provided with an end ring 29, see FIGURE 2,having a groove in its forward face which extends around the entireperiphery thereof and into which the rearward end of the tubular casingsection projects, the latter being embedded in suitable sealing material31 to provide an air tight joint and prevent vibration. A transverseperforate plate 32, which may be formed integrally with the end ring 29'is disposed at the end of easing section 11 adjacent the motor 22. Theend ring 29 and transverse perforate plate 32 may be secured to thecasing 11 in any suitable manner. As shown in FIGURE 2, the ring 29 andplate 32 are cast in an integral structure with centrally located crossribs forming a reticulated grid and the integral structure is attachedto brackets 33 on the inner wall of easing section 11 by means offastening screws or bolts 34 passing through openings in the plate andscrewed into the brackets.

The end ring 29 is formed with depending bearing brackets 35 and 36, seeFIGURES 2 and 3, in which laterally projecting stub shafts 37 and 38 aremounted and project from their opposite sides. Wheels 17 are rotatablymounted on the outwardly projecting ends of the stub shafts 37 and 38.As shown in FIGURE 3, the shafts 37 and 38 have enlarged heads forengaging the sides of the wheels and the bearing brackets have spacedwalls to provide a wide bearing surface.

In accordance with the present invention the end cover 14 is pivotallymounted on the casing section 11 to adapt the end of the casing to beeasily and quickly opened and closed without detaching the end cover.Transverse plate 3 2 at the end of the casing section 11 and acooperating transverse pl-ate 39 on the cover 14 are constructed to forma chamber 40 therebetween for mounting a filter pad 41. In addition, theend cover 14 mounts a reel 42 for an electric cord 43 as a detachableunit. Thus, the pivot-ally mounted end cover 14 provides an easy andquick access to the filter pad 41 and reel unit 42 for service,replacement or repair of As shown in FIGURES 2 and 5, the end cover 14has a tubular portion 46 of a shape corresponding to the shape of easingsection 11, a rearward end wall 47 and a top trim strip 48. The airoutlet opening 24- is located centrally in the end wall 47 and asemi-circular bracket 49 surrounding the opening. Bracket 49' has acentrally positioned abutment 50 spaced inwardly from the end wall 47 toprovide a path of flow to the air outlet opening 24. Depending from thebottom of the end cover 14 adjacent its forward end are spaced lugs 51and 52 through which the inwardly directed ends of the stub shafts 37and 38 project to pivotally mount the end cover for rocking movementtoward and away from the opened end of the casing section 11. The stubshafts 37 and 38 are held in position by means of spring clips 53engaged in annular slots in the inner ends of the shafts.

The pivotally mounted end cover 14 is clamped in closed position at theend of the casing section 11 by means of a toggle latch 54 as shown inFIGURES 2 and 3. Latch 54 comprises a U-shaped housing 55 attached tothe top of end ring 29 by means of screw connections 57 and 58, as shownin FIGURE 2. A link 60 has one end pivotally connected by a pin 56 tohousing 55 and its other end pivotally connected by a pin 59 to one endof a second link 61. The free end of the link 61 has a latching flange62 engaging a keeper 63 in the trim strip 28 on the cover 14. Thearticulated members 60 and '61 are of U-shape in cross-section and sodimensioned that the member 60 is adapted to fold into and frictionallyengage the inner faces of the sides of the latch housing 55 and themember 61 is adapted to fold over the latch housing, as best shown inFIGURE 3. Thus, the latch 54 may be extended to engage the latchingflange 62 with the keeper 63 and the articulated links 60 and 61 foldedone within the other to draw and clamp the cover .14 against the endring 29 of casing 11.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the perforate transverse plate 32 is offset to theleft from the outer face of the ring 29. Also, plate 32 has an annularpart 64 extending lengthwise of casing 11 which provides a framedefining the outer periphery of the chamber 40 in which the filter pad41 is positioned. A centrally positioned boss 65 projects rearwardlyfrom plate 32 and mounts a centering pin 66 for positioning .the filterpad 41 centrally in the chamber. The filter pad 41 is of a generallyrectangular shape corresponding to the shape of chamber 49 to coveropenings in the reticulated grid and has a central opening 41a formounting it on the pin 66. Filter pad 41 also is of such dimensions asto be located and positioned within the annular locating frame or part64. The transverse plate 39 in the open end of the cover 14 is of aconstruction similar to plate 32 having a peripheral contourcorresponding to the tubular portion 46 of the cover 14 and a rearwardlyoffset and centrally located perforate grid portion. As shown in FIG-URE 2, the peripheral rim 39a of plate 39 engages the outer face of ring29 and a forwardly projecting annular flange 39b cooperates with flange67 on apertured plate 32 to clamp the flattened peripheral edge of theessentially fiat filter pad 41 therebetween within the frame 64. Anaxial sleeve 68 extends through plate 39 and projects forwardlytherefrom to engage filter pad 41 and hold it against the end of boss 65on plate 32.

Thus, the apertured plates 32 and 39 include structure for removablyholding the filter pad 41 in a predetermined position on one of theapertured plates 32 and 39 with the rear end cover 14 in open positionand for holding the filter pad 41 about its periphery in air-tightsealing relation with the apertured plates 32 and 39 along a linedefining a zone which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of thecleaner and is completely enveloped and concealed from view by thecasing 10 and rear end cover 14 with the latter in closed position.

The filter pad 41 of rectangular form is placed on the apertured plate32 when the rear end cover 14 is in open position. As best shown inFIGURE 2, the part 64 disposed about the periphery of apertured plate 32and extending lengthwise of casing 11 forms a frame for 10- cating andpositioning the four sides of the filter pad 41 on the apertured plate32. In its located position the filter pad 41 rests against flange 67which extends about the periphery of the apertured plate 32. A centralopening 41a in the filter pad receives the pin 66 projecting fromapertured plate 32 to facilitate locating and positioning the filterpad;

The flange 3%, which extends longitudinally of the cleaner and isdisposed about the periphery of apertured plate 39, engages theperiphery of the filter pad 41 when the latter is positioned and locatedon the apertured plate 32 and the rear end cover 14 is in closedposition. The axial sleeve 68 on apertured plate 39 serves as a pressurering which cooperates with the pin 66 and is disposed about the latterand engages the filter pad 41 to seal the latter about the opening 41awhen the rear end cover 14 is in closed position.

Perforated transverse plate 39 also constitutes part of a reel unit 42for the electric cord 43. As shown in FIGURES 2 and 7, the reel unitcomprises the perforated transverse plate 39, spacer ribs 71 at the rearof the plate and a reel housing 72 at the rear of the spacer. Thespacers 71 are in the form of narrow ribs extending radially from therearwardly projecting portion of sleeve 68 between rows of perforationsat the rear of plate 39 and the ribs are rigidly attached to the plateor cast as an integral part thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, fourof such rib spacers 71 are provided which are attached to the plate bymeans of lugs on the spacers extending through holes in the plate withpeened ends. In like manner, the reel housing 72 is rigidly attached tothe rearward faces of the spacers 71 to provide the self contained reelunit 42. The space between the plate 39 and reel housing 72 provides apassage for air flowing through the suction cleaner 1t).

The reel unit 42 is detachably connected to the end cover 14 by means offastening screws 73 extending through the transverse plate 39, seeFIGURE 4, and screwed into threaded bosses 74 projecting inwardly fromend wall 47 of cover 14, see FIGURE 3. When the screws 73 are tightened,they draw the reel unit 42 against the abutment 50 of bracket 49 torigidly secure the unit in the cover.

As shown in FIGURE 4, the plate 39 has the same contour as and closelyfits the interior of the tubular portion 46 of cover 14, while the reelhousing 72 is of cylindrical form, see FIGURE 5. The reel housing 72 isof substantially the same diameter as the height of the tubular endcover, but of less width to provide a space 75 between the reel housingand tubular portion of the cover. Thus, air entering the end cover 14flows axially through the perforations in the plate 39, radiallyoutwardly between the plate 39 and reel housing 72, axially through thespace 75 between the reel housing and tubular cover and then radiallyinwardly between the reel housing and end wall 47 to the outlet opening24.

The cylindrical reel housing 72 comprising spaced side plates 76 and 77and a peripheral wall 78. In the illustrated embodiment, side plate 76and peripheral wall 78 are formed in integral structure permanentlyattached to the spacing ribs 71 and the side plate has an axial opening80 surrounded by sleeve 68. Side plate 77 is formed as a separateelement to provide a detachable cover for opening the reel housing 72and has an axial opening 81 with flattened sides in alignment with theopening 80 in the opposite plate 76. An axial shaft 82 having steppeddiameters, see FIGURE 2, is located between the side plates 76 and 77 ofthe reel housing 72 and has reduced ends 83 and 84 with flattened sidesprojecting through the openings 80 and 81 in the spaced side plates 76and 77 to prevent rotation relative to the housing. The shaft 82 is heldin position and the side plate 77 is held in closed position on the reelhousing 72 by means of screws 85 and 86 projecting through the openings80 and 81 in plates 76 and 77 and screwed into tapped holes in thereduced ends of the shaft. Thus, the axial shaft 82 provides a fasteningmeans for attaching the side cover plate 77 to the reel housing 72 andprovides an arbor on which the reel spool turns.

[In addition to providing a reel unit 42 mounted in a-pivoted end cover14 to provide easy access to and facilitate servicing and repair of thereel unit, the present invention provides a reel of novel constructionwhich permits the use of a relatively short reel spring 90 having a moreuniform torque characteristic throughout the winding range of the reelthan the longer springs previously required. The improved constructionof an electric cord reel in a suction cleaner for producing theseimproved results resides in the arrangement for winding the reel springon shaft 82 having a relatively small diameter and Winding the cord 43on a spool 91 surrounding the spring and having a much larger diameter.Thus, a turn of cord 43 on spool 91 has a length many times greater thanthe length of a turn of the spring on the arbor shaft 82.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the reel spool 91 comprises spaced disks 92 and 93having axial openings to closely fit adjacent stepped portions of shaft82 on which it rotates. At the outer peripheries of the spaced disks 92and 93 is a cylindrical barrel 94 of the reel spool 91 having radiallyprojecting side flanges 95 and 96. In the illustrated embodiment, thereel spool 91 is made of a plurality of separate attached parts; onepart comprising a disk portion, barrel portion and flange; another parthaving a disk portion attached to the first disk portion and a barrelportion projecting laterally from the barrel portion of the first part;another part constituting the disk 93 being attached to the barrelportion of the second part; and another part attached to the barrelportion and forming the other flange and extending inwardly to the shaft82. Disk 93 rides on the central portion of shaft 82 of largest diameterwhile disk 92 rides on the adjacent reduced stepped portion and bearsagainst the annular shoulder therebetween to resist axial thrust andproperly center the reel spool 91 in the reel housing 72. The clockspring 90 is mounted in the annular space 97 between the spaced disks 92and 93 and has its inner end attached to the shaft 82 and its outer endattached to the barrel 94 of the reel spool 91.

The electric cord 43 is wound on the reel spool 91 with its outer endextending through aligned openings 98 and 99 in the reel housing 72 andtubular portion 46 of the cover 14 and a gasket 100 is provided aroundthe openings, see FIGURE 5, to prevent air leakage from the space 75. Atapered plug fitting 101 is provided at the outer end of cord 4-3 whichis engageable with the sides of an opening 102 in the tiim strip 28. Theinner end of the electric cord 43 is attached to reel spool 91. Cord 43,of course, comprises a pair of insulated conductors and their inner endsare connected to slip rings 103 and 104 on the reel spool 91. As shownin FIG- URE 2, the slip rings 103 and 104- are embedded in an insulatingplastic disk 105 keyed to and rotatable as a unit with the disk 92 ofthe reel spool 91. Spring contacts 106 and 107 on the reel housing 72engage the slip rings 103 and 104 on the reel spool 91 and produce anaxial thrust which is resisted by the engagement of disk 92 with theshoulder on the stepped shaft 82. Spring contacts *106 and 107 aremounted on an insulating plate 108 surrounding a reduced portion of thetherebetween to clamp it to the side plate 76 or the reel housing 72.Electric conductors 109 and 110 are connected to the spring contacts 106and 107 and extend outwardly through an opening 111 in the cover 14 andthen inwardly through an opening 112 in the casing section 11 to providea flexible loop 113 therebetween to permit pivotal movement of the coverrelative to the casing section. The electrical conductors 109 and 110are connected to the motor 22 through the switch '26 and conductors 25.Thus, during each revolution of the reel spool 91 a length of cordv 43is removed [from the casing corresponding to the periphery of the woundcord at the outer diameter of the reel while relatively short lengths ofthe clock spring are wound on the shaft 82 of relatively small diameter.This arrangement permits the use of a relatively short spring havingmore constant torque characteristics than is possible when the reelspool surrounds an air outlet tube.

A catch mechanism 115 is provided for holding the reel spool 91 when thecord 43 is extended. The catch mechanism 115 as shown in' FIGURE 2comprises a pawl 116 pivotally mounted on a pin 117 projecting from theside of disk 93 of the reel spool 91 and overlying the periphery of anotched disk 118 mounted fast on the shaft 82. When the cord 43 isreeled out, the pawl rides over the notches, but when released the pawlwill engage one of a plurality of notches in the disk 118 to hold thecord extended. When it is desired to reel in the cord the cord is givena slight pull and released at which time the speed of rotation of thereel spool 91 throws the pawl away from the periphery of the disk bycentrifugal force. One form of the invention having now been describedin detail, the mode of operation is next explained.

The suction cleaner I10 incorporating the present invention is conveyedto the place where it is to be used in a conventional manner either bycarrying it by the handle 15 or by propelling it on its wheels 16 and17. The plug fitting 10-1 is pulled from the cover 1 4 to withdraw theelectric cord 43 firom the reel 42. When the required length of cord 43has been withdrawn, the plug fitting 101 is inserted in an electricoutlet socket.

An electrical connection is made from the separate prongs of the plugfitting 101 through the conductors in the cord to the slip rings 103 and104. The connec tion is completed through the spring contacts 106 and107 and conductors 109 and to the motor 22 through switch 26. Thus, atany location of the cleaner 10 and during movement of the cleanerrelative to the electrical outlet an electrical connection is maintainedbetween the rotating reel spool 91 'and fixed motor 22. Furthermore, theconstruction of the cord reel 42 permits the cord to be reeled out orreeled in with a more uniform pull to insure latching and releasing bythe pawl 116 as required.

A hose (not shown) is inserted in the air inlet opening 18 in the frontend cover 12 and the proper cleaning attachment applied to the end ofthe hose. Operation of the suction cleaner is initiated by depressingthe push button 27 of the electric switch 26 to energize the motor fanunit 20. Air and dust is then drawn into the filter bag 19 where thedust and dirt is separated from the air and the air exhausted from thefan then flows through the perforations in the transverse plate 32 atthe end of the casing section 11, filter pad 41 and perforations in thetransverse plate 39 in the rear end cover 14. The air then flowsoutwardly between the transverse plate 39 and reel housing 72 held inspaced relation by the spacers 71, see FIGURE 2, and then axiallythrough the space 75 between the reel unit 42 and tubular portion 46 ofthe cover 14 at the outer periphery of reel housing 72, see FIGURE 5,and is delivered to the room through the outlet opening 24 in the endwall 47 of the cover, see

stepped shaft 82 and engaged by the annular shoulder 75 FIGURE 2.

When the filter pad 41 is to-be replaced or treated with an essence orwhen the reel requires service or replacement, the casing 11 is easilyand quickly opened by rocking the rear end cover 14 with respect to thecasing section 11. This is accomplished by merely lifting the forwardend of the toggle latch 54 to release the latching flange 62 from thekeeper 63 on the cover 14 in the manner illustrated in dash lines inFIGURE 2. The end cover 14 then rocks forwardly on the pivot pins 38 tothe position illustrated in dash lines and the loops 113 of conductors109 and 110 flex to permit this relative movement. As the cover 14 isrocked away from the casing section 11, the peripheral ring portion ofthe transverse plate 39 moves away from the ring 29 to open the chamber40. Filter pad 41 then may be removed and replaced or treated asdesired.

Such rocking movement of the rear end cover 14 away from the casingsection 11 also provides access to the reel unit 42 for servicing orrepair. The reel unit may be removed by loosening the screws 73 and thereel unit may be disassembled by removing the screws 85 and 86.

After service or repair, the end cover 14 may be easily and quicklyclosed on the casing section 11 by merely rocking the end cover towardclosed position, engaging the latching flange 62 with the keeper 63 andpressing the toggle portions of the latch into nested relationship.Because of the pivoted connections between cover 14 and easing section11, the separable parts are brought into proper registering relationshipso that no care need be given to aligning the parts, inserting screws ormaking any electrical connections. Furthermore, due to the pivotalconnection of the end cover 14 with the casing section 11, the vacuumcleaner may be opened for service or repair without skill or dexteritydue to the awkward position by the cleaner on the floor.

It will now be observed that the present invention provides an improvedconstruction in a suction cleaner which facilitates access to the filterpad and cord reel for service or repair. It will also be observed thatthe present invention provides a suction cleaner which may be easily andquickly opened and closed without detaching an end cover from thecasing. It will further be observed that the present invention providesan electric cord reel in an end cover of a suction cleaner casing whichrequires a reel spring having only a fraction of the length and improvedtorque characteristics over the cord reels previously used. It willstill further be observed that the present invention provides a suctioncleaner of the type indicated having a relatively simple and compactconstruction to adapt it for economical manufacture and one which isreliable in operation.

While a single embodiment of the invention is herein illustrated anddescribed it will be understood that changes may be made in theconstruction and arrangement of elements without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limitation in thisrespect, the invention is defined by the following claims:

I claim:

1. In a suction cleaner, an elongated casing having at opposite endsthereof front and rear end covers provided with an air inlet and outlet,respectively, means in the casing for moving air therethrough from theinlet to the outlet, at least a part of the rear end cover being ofcuplike shape and having the outlet at its closed end and an aperturedplate mounted at its opposite open end from which air fiows to theoutlet, means for pivotally mounting the rear end cover for rockingmovement at one end of the casing, an apertured plate fixed to the oneend of the casing, the apertured plates forming a chamber therebetweenwith the rear end cover in closed position, an essentially fiat filterpad of rectangular form having an opening therein, the apertured platesincluding structure for removably holding the pad in a predeterminedposition on one of the apertured plates with the rear endv cover in openposition and for holding the pad about its periphery in airtight sealingrelation with the apertured plates along a line defining a zone which istransverse to the longitudinal axis of the cleaner and is completelyenveloped by the casing and rear end cover with the latter in closedposition, and a releasable fastening means for latching the pivoted rearend cover in closed position and releasing the latter for rockingmovement from closed position for quick and easy access to the removablefilter pad, the filter pad holding structure comprising means on one ofthe apertured plates for locating and positioning the four sides of thefilter pad thereon, the opening in the filter pad receiving a pinprojecting from the one apertured plate when the filter pad is placed onthe latter to facilitate locating and positioning the filter pad, theother apertured plate having a flange of rectangular form at itsperiphery which extends longitudinally of the cleaner and engages theperiphery of the filter pad when the latter is positioned and located onthe one apertured plate and the rear end cover is in closed position,the other apertured plate also having a pressure ring which cooperateswith the pin and is disposed about the latter and engages the filter padto seal the latter about the opening when the rear end cover is inclosed position.

2. In a horizontal tank-type suction cleaner, an elongated casing havingat opposite ends thereof front and rear end covers provided with an airinlet and outlet, respectively, means in the casing for moving airtherethrough from the inlet to the outlet, means including wheels forsupporting the cleaner for movement on a surface, the supporting meansincluding spaced apertured lugs depending downward from the casing andpins held thereon upon which the wheels are mounted for movement aboutaxes normal to the longitudinal axis of the casing, at least a part ofthe rear end cover being of cuplike shape and having the outlet at theclosed end and an apertured plate mounted at its opposite open end fromwhich air flows to the outlet, means for pivotally mounting the rear endcover for rocking movement at one end of the casing, the pivotalmounting means including apertured lugs which depend downward from therear end cover and are mounted for movement on the pins, an aperturedplate fixed to the one end of the casing, the apertured plates forming achamber therebetween with the rear end cover in closed position, anessentially flat filter pad of rectangular form having an openingtherein, the apertured plates including structure for removably holdingthe pad in a predetermined position on one of the apertured plates withthe rear end cover in open position and for holding the pad about itsperiphery in airtight sealing relation with the apertured plates along aline defining a zone which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of thecleaner and is completely enveloped by the casing and rear end coverwith the latter in closed position, and a releasable fastening means forlatching the pivoted rear end cover in closed position and releasing thelatter for rocking movement from closed position for quick and easyaccess to the removable filter pad, the filter pad holding structurecomprising means on one of the apertured plates for locating andpositioning the four sides of the filter pad thereon, the opening in thefilter pad receiving a pin projecting from the one apertured plate whenthe filter pad is placed on the latter to facilitate 1m eating andpositioning the filter pad, the other apertured plate having a flange ofrectangular form at its periphery which extends longitudinally of thecleaner and engages the periphery of the filter pad when the latter ispositioned and located on the one apertured plate and the rear end coveris in closed position, the other apertured plate also having a pressurering which cooperates with the pin and is disposed about the latter andengages the filter pad to seal the latter about the opening when therear end cover is in closed position.

3. In a horizontal tank-type suction cleaner, an elongated casing parthaving at opposite ends thereof front 9 v and rear end cover partsprovided with an air inlet and outlet, respectively, means in the casingfor moving air therethrough from the inlet to the outlet, at least aportion of the rear end cover being of cup-like shape and having theoutlet at its closed endhand an apertured plate mounted at its oppositeopen end from which air flows to the outlet, means for pivotallymountingthe rear end cover for rocking movement at one end of the casingat the vicinity of the bottom thereof, an apertured plate fixed to theone end of the casing, the apertured plates forming a chambertherebetween with the rear end cover in closed position, an essentiallyfiat filter pad of rectangular form having an opening therein theapertured plates including structure for removably holding the pad in apredetermined position on one of the apertured plates with the rear endcover in open position and for holding the pad about its periphery inairtight sealing relation with the apertured plates along a linedefining a zone which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of thecleaner and is completely enveloped by the casing and rear end coverwith the latter in closed position, the filter pad holding structurecomprising means on one of the apertured plates for locating andpositioning the four sides of the filter pad thereon, the opening in thefilter pad receiving a pin projecting from the one apertured plate whenthe filter pad is placed on the latter to facilitate locating andpositioning the filter pad, the other apertured plate having a flange ofrectangular form at its periphery which extends longitudinally of thecleaner and engages the periphery of the filter pad when the latter ispositioned and located on the one apertured plate and the rear end coveris in closed position, the other apertured plate also having a pressurering which cooperates with the pin and is disposed about the latter andengages the filter pad to seal the latter about the opening when therear end cover is in closed position, and a quick releasable fasteningmeans at the top of the cleaner for latching the pivoted rear end coverpart in closed position at the one end of the casing part and releasingthe latter for rocking movement from closed position for quick and easyaccess to the removable filter pad, said quick releasable fasteningmeans comprising a latch having a latch keeper on one of the parts and aplurality of articulated links connected to the other part, a catch onone of the articulated links for engaging the keeper on the one part,and the articulated links being foldable into nested relation to clampthe casing part and rear end cover part together.

4. In a suction cleaner, an elongated casing having at opposite endsthereof front and rear end covers provided with an air inlet and outlet,respectively, means in the casing for moving air therethrough from theinlet to the outlet, at least a part of the rear end cover being ofcuplike shape and having the outlet at its closed end and its oppositeend open, a reel for an electrical cord mounted in the rear end cover,an apertured plate, means for detachably mounting the plate at the openend of the rear end cover, means for pivotally mounting the rear endcover for rocking movement at the one end of the casing, the aperturedplate being disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of the casingwith the rear end cover in closed position, an apertured plate which istransverse to the longitudinal axis of the casing and fixed to the oneend thereof, the apertured plates forming a chamber therebetween withthe rear end cover in closed position, an essentially flat filter pad ofrectangular form having an opening therein, the apertured platesincluding structure for removably holding the pad in a predeterminedposition on one of the apertured plates with the rear end cover in openposition and for holding the pad about its periphery in airtight sealingrelation with the apertured plates along a line defining a zone which istransverse to the longitudinal axis of the cleaner and is completelyenveloped by the casing and rear end cover with the latter in closedposition, the filter pad holding structure comprising means on one ofthe apertured plates for locating and positioning the four sides of thefilter pad thereon, the opening in the filter pad receiving a pinprojecting from the one apertured plate when the filter pad is placed onthe latter to facilitate locating and positioning the filter pad, theother apertured plate having a flange of rectangular form at itsperiphery which extends longitudinally of the cleaner and engages theperiphery of the filter pad when the latter is positioned and located onthe one apertured plate and the rear end cover is in closed position,the other apertured plate also having a pressure ring which cooperateswith the pin and is disposed about the latter and engages the filter padto seal the latter about the opening when the rear end cover is inclosed position, and a releasable fastening means for latching thepivoted rear end cover in closed position and releasing the latter forrocking movement from closed position for quick and easy access to theremovable filter pad and reel.

5. In a horizontal tank-type suction cleaner, an elongated casing havingat opposite ends thereof front and rear end covers provided with an airinlet and outlet, respectively, means in the casing for moving airtherethrough from the inlet to the outlet, means comprising an end ringfitted on the casing at one end thereof, means including wheels forsupporting the cleaner for movement on a surface, the supporting meansincluding apertured lug means formed integrally with the end ring anddepending downwardly from the casing and pin means held thereon uponwhich the wheels are mounted for movement about an axis normal to thelongitudinal axis of the casing, at least a part of the rear end coverbeing of cup-like shape and having the outlet at its closed end and anapertured plate mounted at its opposite open end from which air flows tothe outlet, means for pivotally mounting the rear end cover for rockingmovement at the one end of the casing, an apertured plate fixed to theone end of the casing, the pivotal mounting means including aperturedlug means formed integrally with the rear end cover and dependingdownwardly therefrom and mounted for movement on the pin means, theapertured plates forming a chamber therebetween with the rear end coverin closed position, an essentially flat filter pad of rectangular formhaving an opening therein, the apertured plates including structure forremovably holding the pad in a predetermined position on one of theapertured plates with the rear end cover in open position and forholding the pad about its periphery in airtight sealing relation withthe apertured plates along a line defining a zone which is transverse tothe longitudinal axis of the cleaner and is completely enveloped by thecasing and rear end cover with the latter in closed position, and areleasable fastening means for latching the pivoted rear end cover inclosed position and releasing the latter for rocking movement fromclosed position for quick and easy access to the removable filter pad,the filter pad holding structure comprising means on one of theapertured plates for locating and positioning the four sides of thefilter pad thereon, the opening in the filter pad receiving a pinprojecting from the one apertured plate when the filter pad is placed onthe latter to facilitate locating and positioning the filter pad, theother apertured plate having a flange of rectangular form at itsperiphery which extends longitudinally of the cleaner and engages theperiphery of the filter pad when the latter is positioned and located onthe one apertured plate and the rear end cover is in closed position,the other apertured plate also having a pressure ring which cooperateswith the pin and is disposed about the latter and engages the filter padto seal the latter about the opening when the rear end cover is inclosed position.

(References on following page) UNITED STATES PATENTS Tamarin Aug. 4,1942 Clements Feb. 16, 1943 5 Tamarin Mar. 16, 1943 1 2 Lofgren June 29,1943 Brace Oct. 4, 1955 Beede et a1 Nov. 26, 1957 Humphrey Mar. 11, 1958Tamarin Aug. 26, 1958 Wahlborg et a1 May 26, 1959

